Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Timo Shihepo
Published on 2024-03-28 13:59:32
Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa provided an update on the construction progress of the party’s national headquarters, stating that the project is nearing completion. This announcement comes in response to a report published in The Namibian, which suggested that the construction had been halted due to outstanding payments amounting to N$100 million.
Contrary to the report, Shaningwa affirmed that work on the Swapo party national headquarters is currently in full swing, although she did not specify a completion date. However, a recent Swapo politburo report indicated financial struggles in finalizing the project, acknowledging the party’s precarious financial position in this regard.
Shaningwa, a member of the politburo, addressed the discrepancies in the reports, stating that there are no known issues regarding the construction project and that the contractor has not raised any complaints about breach of contract by Swapo. Despite this statement, employees of Unik Construction Engineering, the company awarded the construction tender in 2019, confirmed that work had been halted due to unpaid bills, with only minor progress being made in recent months.
The Namibian’s report also revealed that Swapo had taken out a loan, estimated to be between N$110 million and N$180 million, through one of its entities to settle its debt with Unik Construction Engineering. Part of this loan was reportedly used to pay off the outstanding amount owed to the construction company.
Shaningwa emphasized Swapo’s commitment to upholding contractual obligations and abiding by the laws of Namibia, asserting that the party operates within legal parameters. Despite the initial budget for the headquarters project being N$900 million, the costs have escalated to over N$1 billion.
In addition, concerns were raised about Unik Construction Engineering’s reluctance to publicly address the situation out of fear of reprisal, given their significant presence in Namibia’s construction sector through government tenders.
Efforts to reach Shaningwa for comment on the report were made since 12th March, with her response finally coming from Katima Mulilo, where she refuted the sensationalized and misleading headline. While the construction progress and financial implications remain contentious, the completion of the Swapo party national headquarters continues to be a focal point for the party’s leadership and stakeholders involved in the project.
As the situation unfolds, transparency and accountability in addressing the financial challenges associated with the construction project will be crucial for Swapo and its stakeholders.
Read the original article on The Namibian
